Enclosed proximity switch assembly

ABSTRACT

An enclosed proximity switch assembly includes a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure that are coupled to form an interior volume. A shaft protrusion upwardly extends from a top surface of the top enclosure, and an interior bore portion having an enclosed volume is defined within the shaft protrusion to form a portion of the interior volume. A first end of a vertical shaft is rotatably disposed within the interior bore portion such that the shaft rotates relative to the top and bottom enclosures. A samarium cobalt target magnet is coupled to the shaft, and the target magnet interacts with a samarium cobalt driver magnet within a proximity switch when the target magnet is rotated within a predetermined distance of a top portion of the proximity switch. The interaction causes a switch to move from a first state to a second state, or vice versa.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to an enclosure, and, more particularly, to a sealed enclosure containing at least one magnetic target that is detected by at least one magnetic proximity switch.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic proximity switches, also known as limit switches, are commonly used for position sensing. Typically, a magnetic proximity switch assembly includes a target and a proximity switch, with the proximity switch including a switching circuit. The switching circuit may include an element, such as a lever, that is biased in a first position by a permanent magnet contained in the housing of the proximity switch. With the lever in this first position, the proximity switch is maintained in a first state, in which, for example, a normally closed contact makes contact with a common contact. When the target, which generally includes a permanent magnet, passes within a predetermined range of the proximity switch, the magnetic flux generated by the target magnet causes the lever of the switching circuit to change bias from the first state to a second state, in which, for example, a normally open contact makes contact with the common contact.

In some applications, one or more target magnets and one or more proximity switches may be disposed within a sealed enclosure to protect the proximity switches from damage. This configuration is common when the magnetic proximity switch assembly is used in hazardous environments, such as nuclear applications. In such applications, the enclosure is intended to withstand the high temperatures and pressures that occur during a containment accident or a LOCA (loss of coolant accident) at a nuclear facility. Typically, a shaft vertically disposed within the enclosure supports the target magnet as the target magnet rotates with the shaft relative to a stationary proximity switch. Typically, a top portion of the shaft is coupled to a sealed top bearing assembly disposed within a top aperture that extends through a top portion of the enclosure, and a bottom portion of the shaft is received in a bottom aperture that extends through a bottom portion of the enclosure. The bottom portion of the shaft that extends through the bottom aperture is typically coupled to a valve element, such as the rotating stem of a control valve used for a nuclear application, and the rotation of the stem can be detected with the valve rotates the target magnet within a predetermined range of the proximity switch disposed within the enclosure, thereby indicating the control valve is in a particular position. Alternatively, the rotating stem of the control valve may move the target magnet out of a predetermined range of the proximity switch, thereby indicating the control valve has moved from a particular position.

Due to the hazardous environments in which the magnetic proximity switch assembly is used, the enclosure must be sealed to avoid allowing high temperature gas under high pressure, or other contaminants, into the enclosure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one exemplary aspect of the present invention, an enclosed proximity switch assembly includes a top enclosure having a base wall and a plurality of side walls that extend downwardly from the base wall, and the base wall and the plurality of side walls may at least partially define a first volume. A shaft protrusion may upwardly extend from a top surface of the base wall, and an interior bore portion may be defined within the shaft protrusion such that the interior bore portion forms a portion of the first volume. The interior bore portion may define an enclosed volume. The proximity switch assembly also includes a bottom enclosure having a base wall and a plurality of side walls that extend upwardly from the base wall, and the base wall and the plurality of side walls at least partially define a second volume. A shaft aperture may be defined in the base wall, the shaft aperture may extend through the base wall. The top enclosure may be coupled to the bottom enclosure such that the first volume and the second volume cooperate to define an interior volume. So configured, a longitudinal axis of the shaft aperture may be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the interior bore portion. The proximity switch assembly also includes a shaft having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end of the shaft is disposed within the interior bore portion formed in the shaft protrusion of the top enclosure. The first intermediate portion of the shaft may extend through the shaft aperture formed in the bottom enclosure, and the second end of the shaft may be disposed exterior to the interior volume. The shaft is rotatable relative to the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure. In addition, the proximity switch assembly includes a target support non-rotatably coupled to a second intermediate portion of the shaft, the second intermediate portion being disposed between the first intermediate portion and the first end of the shaft. The target support including a radial portion that extends away from the shaft, and a target magnet 58 may be coupled to the radial portion of the target support. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8 to 11B, the proximity switch assembly includes at least one proximity switch disposed within the interior volume and coupled to the bottom enclosure such that when the shaft is in a first shaft position, the target magnet is disposed a distance away from a top portion of the at least one proximity switch, thereby causing the proximity switch to be in a first state. When the shaft is rotated into a second shaft position, the target magnet is disposed adjacent to the top portion of the at least one proximity switch, thereby causing the proximity switch to be in a second state. Each of the first and second states may correspond to a position of a valve element that is coupled to the second end of the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of an embodiment of an enclosed proximity switch assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of the enclosed proximity switch assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the enclosed proximity switch assembly taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the shaft protrusion of FIG. 3 with the shaft omitted for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a shaft of the embodiment of the enclosed proximity switch assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the enclosed proximity switch assembly taken along section line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the embodiment of the enclosed proximity switch assembly of FIG. 1 with the top enclosure removed for clarity;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the target support of the embodiment of the enclosed proximity switch assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a proximity switch of the embodiment of the enclosed proximity switch assembly illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an side view of a switch assembly of the proximity switch of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is a schematic view of the proximity switch of FIG. 8 in a first state;

FIG. 10B is a schematic view of the proximity switch of FIG. 8 in a second state;

FIG. 11A is a top view of the target magnet and the proximity switch in a first shaft position; and

FIG. 11B is a top view of the target magnet and the proximity switch in a second shaft position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 includes a top enclosure 12 having a base wall 14 and a plurality of side walls 16 that extend downwardly from the base wall 14, and the base wall 14 and the plurality of side walls 16 may at least partially define a first volume 18. A shaft protrusion 20 may upwardly extend from a top surface 22 of the base wall 14, and an interior bore portion 24 may be defined within the shaft protrusion 20 such that the interior bore portion 24 forms a portion of the first volume 18. The interior bore portion 24 may define an enclosed volume. The proximity switch assembly 10 also includes a bottom enclosure 28 having a base wall 30 and a plurality of side walls 32 that extend upwardly from the base wall 30, and the base wall 30 and the plurality of side walls 32 at least partially define a second volume 34. A shaft aperture 36 may be defined in the base wall 30, the shaft aperture 36 may extend through the base wall 30. The top enclosure 12 may be coupled to the bottom enclosure 28 such that the first volume 18 and the second volume 34 cooperate to define an interior volume 38. So configured, a longitudinal axis 40 of the shaft aperture 36 may be aligned with a longitudinal axis 42 of the interior bore portion 24. The proximity switch assembly 10 also includes a shaft 44 having a first end 46, a second end 48 opposite the first end 46, and a first intermediate portion 50 between the first end 46 and the second end 48, wherein the first end 46 of the shaft is disposed within the interior bore portion 24 formed in the shaft protrusion 20 of the top enclosure 12. The first intermediate portion 50 of the shaft 44 may extend through the shaft aperture 36 formed in the bottom enclosure, and the second end of the shaft may be disposed exterior to the interior volume 38. The shaft 44 is rotatable relative to the top enclosure 12 and the bottom enclosure 28. In addition, the proximity switch assembly 10 includes a target support 52 non-rotatably coupled to a second intermediate portion 54 of the shaft 44, the second intermediate portion 54 being disposed between the first intermediate portion 50 and the first end 46 of the shaft 44. The target support 52 including a radial portion 56 that extends away from the shaft, and a target magnet 58 may be coupled to the radial portion 56 of the target support 52. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8 to 11B, the proximity switch assembly 10 includes at least one proximity switch 60 disposed within the interior volume 38 and coupled to the bottom enclosure 28 such that when the shaft 44 is in a first shaft position 61, the target magnet 58 is disposed a distance away from a top portion 64 of the at least one proximity switch 60, thereby causing the proximity switch 60 to be in a first state 66. When the shaft 44 is rotated into a second shaft position 63, the target magnet 58 is disposed adjacent to the top portion 64 of the at least one proximity switch 60, thereby causing the proximity switch to be in a second state 70. Each of the first and second states 66, 70 may correspond to a position of a valve element that is coupled to the second end 48 of the shaft 44.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may include a top enclosure 12 that may include a base wall 14. The base wall 14 of the top enclosure 12 may be rectangular in shape and may be substantially planar, and the plane formed by the base wall 14 may be substantially horizontal. As used herein, the term “horizontal” indicates a direction that is substantially coplanar with or substantially parallel to the X-Y plane of the reference coordinate system illustrated in FIG. 1. The term “vertical” indicates a direction that is substantially normal to the X-Y plane (i.e., the direction of the Z axis) of the reference coordinate system illustrated in FIG. 1. Instead of a horizontally disposed base wall 14, the planar base wall 14 may be obliquely disposed relative to the X-Y plane. In addition, rather than the planar configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the base wall 14 may have any shape suitable for a particular application. For example, the base wall 14 may have a curved cross-sectional shape or may be otherwise contoured, or the base wall 14 may be partially curved/contoured and partially planar. In addition, the base wall 14 may include two or more planar portions that are vertically offset (not shown) to form a stepped surface.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6, the top enclosure 12 may include a plurality of side walls 16 that extend downwardly from the base wall 14. More specifically, the plurality of downwardly extending side walls 16 may include a first wall 72 that extends from a first perimeter edge 74 of the base wall 14. A second wall 76 may extend from a second perimeter edge 78 of the base wall 14, and the second perimeter edge 78 may be disposed opposite from the first perimeter edge 74. A third wall 80 may extend from a third perimeter edge 82 of the base wall 14, and the third perimeter edge 82 may extend between the first and second perimeter edges 74, 78. A fourth wall 84 may extend from a fourth perimeter edge 86 of the base wall 14 that is opposite to the third perimeter edge 82, and the fourth perimeter edge 86 may extend between the first and second perimeter edges 74, 78. Each of the plurality of side walls 16 may extend obliquely away from the base wall 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6. However, any or all of the plurality of side walls 16 may extend away from the base wall 14 in any suitable manner or direction, such as perpendicularly, for example. While each of the plurality of side walls 16 is illustrated as planar in FIGS. 1-3, any or all of the plurality of side walls 16 may have any suitable shape, such as contoured, or partially planar or partially contoured. Moreover, the plurality of side walls 16 may include more (or fewer) walls than illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 6. An upper flange 88 may horizontally extend from a bottom portion of each of the plurality of side walls 16, and the upper flange 88 may have a plurality of mating apertures 90 a disposed therein, the mating apertures 90 a adapted to receive bolts that couple the top enclosure 12 to the bottom enclosure 28. As configured, the base wall 14 and the plurality of downwardly extending side walls 16 may at least partially define a first volume 18.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 6, the top enclosure 12 may include a shaft protrusion 20 that upwardly extends from a top surface 22 of the base wall 14. The shaft protrusion 20 may include an outer surface 90 and the outer surface 90 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the outer surface 90 may have a circular cross-sectional shape such that the outer surface 90 is cylindrical. Alternatively, the outer surface 90 may have the cross-sectional shape of an oval or a polygon, for example. The shaft protrusion 20 may also have a top surface 92, and the top surface 92 may be planar. However, the top surface 92 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes, such as the shape of a cone or the shape of a hemisphere, for example. An inner side surface 94 may partially define an interior bore portion 24 of the of the shaft protrusion 20, and the interior bore portion 24 may be adapted to receive the first end 46 of the shaft 44 in a manner that allows the shaft 44 to rotate relative to the top enclosure 12. The inner side surface 94 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the inner side surface 94 may have a circular cross-sectional shape such that the inner side surface 94 is cylindrical. The cylindrical inner side surface 94 may have a longitudinal axis 42, and the cylindrical inner side surface 94 may be sized to receive the first end 46 of the shaft 44. The interior bore portion 24 of the shaft protrusion 20 may be further defined by an inner top surface 95, and the inner top surface 95 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the inner top surface 95 may be conical, planar, or hemispherical. As configured, the inner side surface 94 and the inner top surface 95 cooperate to at least partially define an enclosed volume (i.e., the interior bore portion 24) within the shaft protrusion 20 that forms a portion of the first volume 18. Because the interior bore portion 24 is an enclosed volume that is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the top enclosure 12, the interior bore portion 24 forms a blind bore that is adapted to receive the first end 46 of the shaft 44 without providing a potential leakpath between the interior bore portion 24 and the exterior of the top enclosure 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may also include a bottom enclosure 28 that may include a base wall 30. The base wall 30 of the bottom enclosure 28 may be rectangular in shape and may be substantially planar, and the plane formed by the base wall 30 may be substantially horizontal and parallel to the base wall of the 14 of the top enclosure 12. Instead of a horizontally disposed base wall 30, the planar base wall 30 may be obliquely disposed relative to the X-Y reference plane illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, rather than the planar configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the base wall 30 may have any shape suitable for a particular application. For example, the base wall 30 may have a curved cross-sectional shape or may be otherwise contoured, or the base wall 30 may be partially curved/contoured and partially planar. In addition, the base wall 30 may include two or more planar portions that are vertically offset (not shown) to form a stepped surface.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the bottom enclosure 28 may include a plurality of side walls 32 that extend upwardly from the base wall 30. More specifically, the plurality of upwardly extending side walls 32 may include a first wall 94 that extends from a first perimeter edge 96 of the base wall 30. A second wall 98 may extend from a second perimeter edge 100 of the base wall 30, and the second perimeter edge 100 may be disposed opposite from the first perimeter edge 96. A third wall 102 may extend from a third perimeter edge 104 of the base wall 30, and the third perimeter edge 104 may extend between the first and second perimeter edges 96, 100. A fourth wall 106 may extend from a fourth perimeter edge 108 of the base wall 30 that is opposite to the third perimeter edge 104, and the fourth perimeter edge 108 may extend between the first and second perimeter edges 96, 100. Each of the plurality of side walls 32 may extend obliquely away from the base wall 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6. However, any or all of the plurality of side walls 32 may extend away from the base wall 30 in any suitable manner or direction, such as perpendicularly, for example. While each of the plurality of side walls 32 is illustrated as planar in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, any or all of the plurality of side walls 32 may have any suitable shape, such as contoured, or partially planar or partially contoured. Moreover, the plurality of side walls 32 may include more (or fewer) walls than illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6. As configured, the base wall 30 and the plurality of downwardly extending side walls 32 may at least partially define a second volume 34.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the bottom enclosure 28 may include one or more side apertures 128, and each side aperture 128 may be formed at any appropriate location. For example, a side aperture 128 may extend through one of the plurality of side walls 32, such as through the fourth wall 106. The side aperture 128 may be defined by an interior surface that may be at least partially threaded such that a fitting having a threaded exterior surface can engage the side aperture 128. The side aperture 128 may have any suitable shape. For example, the side aperture 128 may have a circular cross-sectional shape. The side aperture 128 may be sized to receive the fitting of a length of conduit that is adapted to contain a plurality of wires that connects the one or more proximity switches 60 to externally located hardware.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the bottom enclosure 28 may include a shaft aperture 36 disposed through the base wall 30. The shaft aperture 38 may be sized to receive a first intermediate portion 50 of the shaft 44. Because the shaft aperture 36 extends through the base wall 30, the second volume 34 is in fluid communication with the exterior of the bottom enclosure 28 when the shaft 44 is not disposed through the shaft aperture 36. The shaft aperture 36 may be partially defined by an inner surface 120 of an upper boss portion 122 that extends upwardly from the base wall 30. In addition, the shaft aperture 36 may be further partially defined by an inner surface 124 of a lower boss portion 122 that extends downwardly from the base wall 30. The inner surface 120 of an upper boss portion 122 and the inner surface 124 of a lower boss portion 122 may each be cylindrical such that the shaft aperture 28 has the overall shape of a cylinder having a longitudinal axis 40. When the top enclosure 12 is coupled to the bottom enclosure as described below, the longitudinal axis 42 of the interior bore portion 24 is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis 40 of the shaft aperture 28.

Referring again to FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, a lower flange 110 may horizontally extend from a top portion of each of the plurality of side walls 32, and the lower flange 110 may have an engagement surface 112 that engages a corresponding engagement surface 114 of the upper flange 88. A seal 116 may be disposed in a recess that extends along the top portion of each of the plurality of side walls 32, and the seal 116 is adapted to prevent a leakpath between the engagement surface 112 of lower flange 110 and the engagement surface 114 of upper flange 88 when the top enclosure 12 is coupled to the bottom enclosure 28. The seal 116 may be made from a radiation tolerant, high temperature silicone material. Instead of the seal 116 in a recess, any sealing arrangement may be used. For example, a gasket may be disposed between the engagement surface 112 of lower flange 110 and the engagement surface 114 of upper flange 88.

The top enclosure 12 may be coupled to the bottom enclosure 28 by any means known in the art. For example, the lower flange 110 may have a plurality of mating apertures 90 b disposed therein, the mating apertures 90 b being coaxially aligned with the mating apertures 90 a of the upper flange 88 such that each pair of mating apertures 90 a, 90 b may receive a bolt 118 adapted to couple the top enclosure 12 to the bottom enclosure 28. The bolt 118 may have a threaded bottom portion, and the threaded bottom portion of the bolt may engage a threaded interior portion of one or both of the mating apertures 90 a, 90 b. Assembled as described, the base wall 30 and the plurality of downwardly extending side walls 32 may at least partially define a second volume 34, and when the top enclosure 12 is secured to the bottom enclosure 28, the first volume 18 and the second volume 34 form an interior volume 38.

The top enclosure 12 and the bottom enclosure 28 may be manufactured from any suitable materials. For example, the top enclosure 12 and the bottom enclosure 28 may be formed from a metal or a metal alloy, such as aluminum or 316 stainless steel. The metal or metal alloy enclosures 12, 28 may be formed by any process or combination of processes, such as by casting or machining. Alternatively, the top enclosure 12 and the bottom enclosure 28 may be made of plastic, and the enclosures 12, 28 may be formed from an injection molding process.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may also include a shaft 44 that is rotatable relative to the top enclosure 12 and bottom enclosure 28. The shaft may have an elongate shape having a first end 46 and a second end 48 opposite the first end 46. The first end 46 may have a circular cross-section shape, and the diameter of the circular cross-sectional shape of the first end 46 may be slightly less than the diameter of the circular cross-sectional shape of the inner side surface 94 defining the interior bore portion 24 of the shaft protrusion 20 of the top enclosure 12. So configured, the first end 46 of the shaft is rotatably disposed within the enclosed interior bore portion 24. The shaft 44 may have a first intermediate portion 50 disposed between the first end 46 and the second end 48 of the shaft 44. The first intermediate portion 50 may have a circular cross-section shape, and the diameter of the circular cross-sectional shape of the first intermediate portion 50 is slightly less than the diameter of the circular cross-sectional shape of the shaft aperture 28 such that the first intermediate portion 50 extends through, and is rotatably disposed within, the shaft aperture 28. So configured, the second end 48 of the shaft is disposed exterior to the interior volume 38 formed by the top enclosure 12 and the bottom enclosure 28. For example, the second end 48 of the shaft 44 may extend beyond the lower boss portion 126 that projects downwardly from the base wall 30 of the bottom enclosure 28. The shaft 44 may have any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the shaft 44 may have a substantially cylindrical shape having a substantially uniform cross-section shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the shaft 44 may be maintained in a desired position by a pair of snap rings 130 disposed in grooves formed in the first intermediate portion 50 of the shaft 44. One of the pair of snap rings 130 may be disposed adjacent to or contacting a distal end of the upper boss portion 122 and a second of the pair of snap rings 130 may be disposed adjacent to or contacting a distal end of the lower boss portion 126, thereby preventing upward and/or downward displacement of the shaft 44 relative to the bottom enclosure 28. A seal 132, such as an O-ring, may be disposed in a recess that extends around the circumference of the first intermediate portion 50 of the shaft 44. The seal 132 is adapted to sealingly engage the inner surfaces 120, 124 that define the shaft aperture 28 to prevent a leakpath between the first intermediate portion 50 of the shaft 44 and the inner surfaces 120, 124. The seal 132 may be made from a radiation tolerant, high temperature silicone material.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may also include a target support 52. The target support 52 may include a base portion 134 that is coupled to a second intermediate portion 54 of the shaft 44, with the second intermediate portion 54 being disposed between the first end 46 and the first intermediate portion 50 of the shaft 44. More specifically, the base portion 134 may have an aperture 136 extending from a top portion to a bottom portion of the base portion 134, and the aperture 136 receives the second intermediate portion 54 of the shaft 44. The base portion 134 may be fixed to the shaft 44 such that the target support 52 rotates along with the shaft 44, and the base portion 134 may be prevented from rotating relative to the shaft 44 by any means known in the art, such as, for example, a set screw, a key and slot, or an interference fit. In addition, one or more snap rings (not shown) may be coupled to the shaft 44 adjacent to the bottom portion of the base portion 134 to prevent downward displacement of the target support 52. The base portion 134 may be permanently fixed to the shaft, of the base portion 134 may be releasably secured to the such that the base portion 134 can be vertically repositioned relative to the shaft 44. The base portion 134 have any suitable shape or combination of shapes. For example, the base portion 134 may have a circular or ovular cross-sectional shape, or the base portion 134 may have a polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as that of a square or rectangle. The base portion 134 may be dimensioned such that when the target support 52 rotates with the shaft 44, the base portion 134 does not contact any of the elements contained within the interior volume, such as the one or more proximity switches 60.

Referring again to FIGS. 3, 7A and 7B, the target support 52 may also include a radial portion 56 coupled to the base portion 134 such that the radial portion 56 extends away from the shaft 44. The radial portion 56 may have any shape or combination of shapes suitable for a given application. For example, the radial portion 56 may be a cantilevered projection extending from the base portion 134, and the radial portion 56 may have a rectangular cross-sectional shape. If the target support 52 includes more than one radial portions 56 are used, each radial portion may be a cantilevered projection extending from the base portion 134. Each radial portion 56 may include a target aperture 138 extending therethrough, and a longitudinal axis of the target aperture 138 may be substantially vertical. The target aperture 138 may be sized to receive a target magnet 58. The target magnet 58 may have any shape or size suitable for a particular application. For example, the target magnet 58 may have a cylindrical shape, and the depth of the cylinder may be less than the vertical height of the radial portion 56 such that the target magnet 58 may be vertically adjusted within the target aperture 138. The target magnet 58 may be secured within the target aperture 138 by any means known in the art, such as by an adhesive, or by a magnetic force. In addition, the target aperture 138 may be a blind bore having a bottom portion of a reduced thickness to support the target magnet 58. The target aperture 138, and the target magnet 58 disposed therein, may be positioned at any suitable location on the radial portion 56. For example, the target aperture 138 may be disposed on the radial portion 56 such that when the radial portion 56 is rotated to a position above a proximity switch 60, at least a portion of the target magnet 58 is disposed above or adjacent to a top portion 64 of a proximity switch 60. However, the target aperture 138 may be disposed at any location on the radial portion 56 that allows the target magnet 58 to be detected by the proximity switch 60 in a manner that will be described in more detail below. The target magnet 58 may be any type of magnet suitable for a particular application, such as a samarium cobalt magnet.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 7A, 8, and 9, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may also include one or more proximity switches 60 coupled to the bottom enclosure 28. The proximity switch 60 may include a housing 140 having any suitable shape for a given application. For example, the housing 140 may include a planar first side wall 142 and a planar second side wall 144 parallel to and offset from the first side wall 142. A planar third side wall 146 may extend perpendicularly between the first side wall 142 and the second side wall 144 along a first lateral edge of the first side wall 142, and a planar fourth 148 side wall may extend perpendicularly between the first side wall 142 and the second side wall 144 along a second lateral edge of the first side wall 142. A planar end wall 148 may perpendicularly intersect the first side wall 142, the second side wall 144, the third side wall 146, and the fourth side wall 148, and the planar end wall 148 may comprise the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60. An open end 150 may provide access to an interior volume 152 of the housing 140. A pair of mounting flanges 154 a, 154 b may be secured to, or formed integrally with, the housing 140 adjacent to the open end 150, and the mounting flanges 154 a, 154 b may each have an aperture that is adapted to receive a bolt that secures the housing 140 of the proximity switch 60 to a suitable portion of the bottom enclosure 28.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the proximity switch 60 may include a switch assembly 156 that is disposed within the interior volume 152 of the housing 140. The switch assembly may include a base 158, and the base may include a fulcrum 160 formed on a first portion of the base. A lever 162 may be pivotably coupled to the fulcrum 160 by a hinge pin 164. A driver magnet 166 may be disposed within a cavity 168 formed in the base 156, and the driver magnet 166 may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The driver magnet 166 may have a height, width, and depth that closely correspond to the height, width, and depth of the cavity 168 such that the elongated driver magnet 166 can be received into the cavity 168 such that a longitudinal axis of the driver magnet 166 is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base 156. A lip 170 may extend along a pair of oppositely disposed lateral edges to maintain the driver magnet 166 in a desired position within the cavity 168. So configured, the longitudinal axis of the driver magnet may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lever 162 when the lever is balanced about the hinge pin 164. The driver magnet 166 may be made from any suitable magnetic material or combination of materials. For example, the driver magnet 166 may be a samarium cobalt magnet.

The switch assembly 156 may also include an end cap 180 having a plurality of pins 182 that outwardly extend through the end cap 180. Each of the pins 182 may be electrically connected to contacts in the switch assembly 156 in a manner which will be described in more detail below. The end cap 180 may be secured to an end portion of the base 156 such that when the switch assembly 156 is disposed within the housing 140, each of the plurality of pins 182 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 140 and a distal portion of each of the plurality of pins 182 projects out of the open end 150 of the housing 140. The end cap 180 may also include a mounting shaft 184 that is rigidly coupled to the end cap 180 and that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the proximity switch 60 may also include a shield 172 disposed within the interior volume 152 of the housing 140. The shield 172 may include a first wall 174 and a pair of parallel lateral walls 176, 178 that each extend form opposing lateral edges of the first wall 174 such that the walls 174, 176, 178 defining a channel to receive and protect the switch assembly 156 within the interior volume 152 of the housing 140.

The switch assembly 156 of the proximity switch 60 may include dry contacts (i.e., contacts that are not initially connected to a voltage source), such as form C dry contacts. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the shaft 44 is in a first shaft position 61 in which the target magnet 58 is outside of a predetermined range (illustrated by the dashed area 196) of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60, the driver magnet 166 may exert a magnetic force on the lever 162 (or an element coupled to the lever 162) of suitable strength to maintain the lever 162 in a first position in which the lever 162 electrically couples a “normally closed” contact N/C with a common contact C (schematically illustrated in FIG. 10A), with each of the normally closed contact N/C and the common contact C being electrically coupled to a corresponding pin 182 extending through the end cap 180. When the common contact C is electrically coupled to the normally closed contact N/C, the proximity switch 60 is in a first state 66.

The shaft 44 may be rotated from the first shaft position 61 to a second shaft position 63, illustrated in FIG. 11B, in which the target magnet 58 is within a predetermined range 196 of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60. In this second shaft position 63, the magnetic force between the lever 162 (or an element coupled to the lever) and the target magnet 58 becomes stronger than the magnetic force between the lever 162 (or an element coupled to the lever) and the driver magnet 166. The stronger force between the target magnet 58 and the lever 162 (or an element coupled to the lever) thereby causes the lever 162 to pivot about the hinge pin 164 from the first position to a second position (shown schematically in FIG. 10B) in which the lever 162 electrically couples a “normally open” contact N/O with the common contact C, with the normally open contact N/O being electrically coupled to a corresponding pin 182 extending through the end cap 180. With the lever 162 in this second position, the proximity switch 60 is in a second state 70. The proximity switch 60 may be maintained in the second state 70 as long as the target magnet 58 is within a predetermined range of the top portion 64. However, when the target magnet 58 moves outside of the predetermined range, the proximity switch 60 changes bias from the second state 70 to the first state 66.

As described above, the proximity switch 60 changes bias from a first state 66 to a second state 70 when the target magnet 58 is within a predetermined range 196 of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60. The predetermined range 196 may be defined by the size of the magnetic field generated by the driver magnet 166, the target magnet 58 may be within the predetermined range 196 when any portion of the magnetic field generated by the target magnet 58 intersects any portion of the magnetic field generated by the driver magnet 166. Similarly, the target magnet 58 may be outside the predetermined range 196 when no portion of the magnetic field generated by the target magnet 58 intersects a portion of the magnetic field generated by the driver magnet 166. One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the predetermined range 196 can have a variety of sizes and shapes, and several factors may contribute to the size and shape of the predetermined range 196, such as the relative size, thickness, and/or strength of the driver magnet 166 and the target magnet 58, as well as the vertical distance separating the driver magnet 166 and the target magnet 58, for example. By changing one of more of these variables, the size of the predetermined range 196 may be adjusted to a desired size. For example, the target magnet may 58 may be within the predetermined range 196 when any portion of the target magnet 58 intersects any portion of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60 when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 from a point above the target support 52. One having ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that instead of the single pole, double throw configuration described above, other configurations are also possible, such as, for example, a double pole, double throw configuration.

As briefly explained above, both the driver magnet 166 and the target magnet 58 may be samarium cobalt magnets. Samarium cobalt magnets offer a relatively large strength to area ratio compared to conventional magnets. Such a high strength to area ratio helps achieve increased contact pressure and a more positive snap action when the proximity switch changes bias as described above.

The proximity switch 60 may be coupled to the bottom enclosure 28 in any suitable manner. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a planar support plate 186 may be disposed on the base wall 30 of the bottom enclosure 28, and the support plate 186 may be coupled to the base wall 30 by any means known in the art, such as by the use of adhesives or mechanical couplings. The support plate 186 may have pre-formed apertures 188 that are adapted to receive the mounting shaft 184 and the bolts that extend through the apertures of the mounting flanges 154 a, 154 b to secure the housing 140 of the proximity switch 60 to the support plate 186. The apertures 188 may be disposed at any desirable locations in the support plate 186, such as, for example, locations that allow the target magnet 58 to be disposed adjacent to the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60.

As previously explained, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may include more than one proximity switch 60. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a second proximity switch 60′ may also be mounted to the support plate 186, and the second proximity switch 60′ may be identical to the first proximity switch 60 described above. The second proximity switch 60′ may be disposed at any desired location on the support plate 186 (or any other portion) of the bottom enclosure 28. For example, the first proximity switch 60 may be disposed such that the longitudinal axes of the housing 140 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44, and the longitudinal axis of the housing 140 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 by a first distance. The second proximity switch 60′ may be disposed such that the longitudinal axes of the housing 140′ is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44, and the longitudinal axis of the housing 140 is offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 by a distance that is substantially equal to the first distance. The first proximity switch 60 and the second proximity switch 60′ may be symmetrically disposed about the shaft 44 such that a horizontal reference line may pass through the longitudinal axes of the shaft 44, the first proximity switch 60, and the second proximity switch 60′. Said another way, when viewed along the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44, the angle between a first horizontal line segment extending from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 to the longitudinal axis of the first proximity switch 60 and a second horizontal line segment extending from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 to the longitudinal axis of the second proximity switch 60′ is approximately 180°.

If three proximity switches are used, the three proximity switches may also be symmetrically disposed about the shaft 44. For example, the angle between a first horizontal line segment extending from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 to the longitudinal axis of the first proximity switch 60 and a second horizontal line segment extending from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 to the longitudinal axis of the second proximity switch 60′ is approximately 120°. In addition, the angle between the second horizontal line segment extending from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 to the longitudinal axis of the second proximity switch 60′ and a third horizontal line segment extending from the longitudinal axis of the shaft 44 to the longitudinal axis of the third proximity switch 60″ is approximately 120°.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may include one or more terminal strips 190. The one or more terminal strips 190 may be coupled to the support plate 186 at any suitable location such that the one or more terminal strips 190 does not interfere with the rotation of the target support 52 about the shaft 44. The one or more terminal strips 190 may be directly coupled to the support plate 186 or may be coupled to a coupling element that is secured to the support plate 186 or any portion of the bottom enclosure 28, such as an upright bracket 191. The terminal strip 190 may have a ceramic insulator base using tubular shaped standoffs that mounting fasteners may pass through. This arrangement provides an air gap between a mounting surface and the terminal strip 190, thereby reducing heat transfer between the terminal strip 190 and the mounting surface.

Each terminal strip 190 may be adapted to each receive one or more wires (not shown) that are electrically coupled to any of the plurality of pins 182 of the proximity switch 60. The terminal strips 190 may also be adapted to receive one or more wires that may extend through the side aperture 128 of the bottom enclosure 28, and these wires that extend through the side aperture 128 may be adapted to be connected to one or more external devices, such as a controller or a diagnostic device. The terminal strip 190 operates to electrically couple one of the wires coupled to a pin 182 of the proximity switch 60 to a wire that extends through the side aperture 128 in a manner known in the art. Instead of, or in addition to, the arrangement described above, any arrangement or combinations or wires may be interconnected through the terminal strip 190. For example a wire providing power may be interconnected to a wire that is electrically coupled to a pin 182 of the proximity switch 60. Any suitable terminal strip 190 may be included in the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10. For example, the terminal strip 190 may be radiation tolerant, high temperature terminal strip. Such a terminal strip 190 may be made from Ryton or a similar material. The terminal strip 190 may also include metallic internal components to resist corrosion. A transmission device (not shown) may be coupled to the one or more terminal strips 190, and such a transmission device may communicate wirelessly one or more external devices, such as a controller, to indicate the state of the one or more proximity switches 60 to determine the position of the valve element of the control valve.

In operation, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may be coupled to a valve element (not shown), such as the rotating stem of a control valve used for a nuclear application. The enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may be coupled to the valve element by any means known in the art, such as by a collar or other type of adapter. In addition, the bottom enclosure 28 may be coupled to a portion of the valve by, for example, bolts that extend into apertures 194 disposed on a bottom surface of the bottom enclosure 28. The enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may be calibrated such that when the valve is in a first position, the shaft 44 is in the first shaft position 61 in which the target magnet 58 is outside of a predetermined range of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60 such that the proximity switch 60 is in the first state 66. However, when the valve is in a second position, the shaft 44 is rotated into a second shaft position 63 in which the target magnet 58 is within a predetermined range of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60 such that the proximity switch 60 moves to a second state 70. As explained previously, the proximity switch 60 is maintained in the second state 70 as long as the target magnet 58 is within the predetermined range of the top portion 64. When the target magnet 58 is moved outside of the predetermined range, the proximity switch 60 changes bias from the second state 70 to the first state 66. One having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the shaft 44 could be maintained in the second shaft position 63 in which the target magnet 58 is within a predetermined range of the top portion 64 of the proximity switch 60 such that the proximity switch 60 is in a second state 70, and the shaft 44 could be rotated into the first shaft position 61, thereby causing the proximity switch to move to the first state 66, when the control element coupled to the shaft 44 is rotated or otherwise displaced. In this configuration, one having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the normally open contact and normally closed contact illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B would switch roles.

If additional proximity switches 60 are used, the target magnet 58 (or an additional target magnet coupled to the target support 52) may change the bias of the additional proximity switch 60 from the first state 66 to the second state 70 (and vice versa) as explained above. A controller (or other device) that is connected to the wires that are connected to the terminal strips 190 may indicate the state of the one or more proximity switches 60 to determine the position of the valve element of the control valve.

Additional features may be incorporated into the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10, such as a magnetic interlock indicator (not shown) disposed on the outside of the top enclosure 12 or bottom enclosure 28. The magnetic interlock indicator may indicate whether the proximity switch 60 is in the first state 66 or the second state 70. The magnetic interlock indicator may have a machined post design using a knob in the top enclosure 12 or the magnetic interlock indicator may include a frictionless magnetic float driven by the magnetic pull of the target magnet. The enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may also include an attached solenoid valve.

The embodiments of the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 described above provide a contained environment for use in hazardous environments, such as nuclear applications. More specifically, the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 is intended to withstand temperatures and pressures that occur during a containment accident or a LOCA (loss of coolant accident) at a nuclear facility, and the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 may be an explosion-proof enclosure. This level of protection is due in part to the elimination of potential leakpaths through the top enclosure 12 due to a shaft aperture (or other point of ingress) because the interior bore portion 24 of the shaft protrusion 20 is an enclosed volume that is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the top enclosure 12. Other leakpaths are prevented by seals, such as seals 116, 132, which may be fabricated from a radiation tolerant, high temperature silicone material. The wires that extend from the terminal strips 190 (or directly from the one or more proximity switches 60) through the side aperture 128 of the bottom enclosure 28 may be protected by a radiation resistant conduit (not shown) that may be sealingly coupled to the side aperture to further prevent potential leakpaths.

The enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 described above also provides a modular design that allows the number of and layout of proximity switches 60, as well as other components, to be changed for a desired application, thereby reducing the cost associated with replacing an entire assembly when a configuration is to be modified. In addition, one having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a nuclear junction box is not necessary with the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10, and the enclosed proximity switch assembly 10 requires less piping than conventional switch enclosures, which both further reduce costs and require less labor to install.

While various embodiments have been described above, this disclosure is not intended to be limited thereto. Variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments that are still within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An enclosed proximity switch assembly, the assembly comprising: a top enclosure having a base wall and a plurality of side walls that extend downwardly from the base wall, wherein the base wall and the plurality of side walls at least partially define a first volume, and wherein a shaft protrusion upwardly extends from a top surface of the base wall, and wherein an interior bore portion is defined within the shaft protrusion such that the interior bore portion forms a portion of the first volume, the interior bore portion defining an enclosed volume; a bottom enclosure having a base wall and a plurality of side walls that extend upwardly from the base wall, wherein the base wall and the plurality of side walls at least partially define a second volume, wherein a shaft aperture is defined in the base wall, the shaft aperture extending through the base wall, and wherein the top enclosure is coupled to the bottom enclosure such that the first volume and the second volume cooperate to define an interior volume and such that a longitudinal axis of the shaft aperture is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the interior bore portion; a shaft having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a first intermediate portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end of the shaft is disposed within the interior bore portion formed in the shaft protrusion of the top enclosure, the first intermediate portion of the shaft extending through the shaft aperture formed in the bottom enclosure, and the second end of the shaft is disposed exterior to the interior volume, wherein the shaft is rotatable relative to the top enclosure and the bottom enclosure; a target support non-rotatably coupled to a second intermediate portion of the shaft, the second intermediate portion being disposed between the first intermediate portion and the first end of the shaft, the target support including a radial portion that extends away from the shaft; a target magnet coupled to the radial portion of the target support; at least one proximity switch disposed within the interior volume and coupled to the bottom enclosure such that when the shaft is in a first shaft position, the target magnet is disposed a distance away from a top portion of the at least one proximity switch thereby causing the proximity switch to be in a first state, and when the shaft is rotated into a second shaft position, the target magnet is disposed adjacent to the top portion of the at least one proximity switch, thereby causing the proximity switch to be in a second state, wherein each of the first and second states correspond to a position of a valve element that is coupled to the second end of the shaft.
 2. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the shaft is cylindrical and a cylindrical inner side surface partially defines the interior bore portion of the of the shaft protrusion.
 3. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the shaft protrusion is cylindrical in shape.
 4. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein when the shaft is in the first shaft position, the target magnet is outside of a predetermined range of the top portion of the at least one proximity switch, and when the shaft is in the second shaft position, the target magnet is within a predetermined range of the top portion of the at least one proximity switch.
 5. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein in the first shaft position, a driver magnet exerts a magnetic force on a lever pivotably disposed within the proximity switch to maintain the lever in a first position such that the proximity switch is in the first state.
 6. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 5, wherein in the second shaft position, a magnetic force between the target magnet and the lever is greater than the magnetic force between the driver magnet and the lever, and the lever therefore pivots from the first position to a second position such that the proximity switch is in the second state.
 7. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 6, wherein the target magnet is a samarium cobalt magnet, and the driver magnet is a samarium cobalt magnet.
 8. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein two proximity switches are fixedly coupled to the bottom enclosure.
 9. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 8, wherein the two proximity switches are symmetrically disposed about the shaft such that a horizontal reference line may pass through a longitudinal axis of the shaft and a longitudinal axis of each of the two proximity switches.
 10. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the top enclosure is removably coupled to bottom enclosure.
 11. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 10, wherein the top enclosure includes a flange extending in a horizontal direction from a perimeter defined by the plurality of side walls, and the bottom enclosure includes a flange extending in a horizontal direction from a perimeter defined by the plurality of side walls.
 12. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one mating aperture is formed in the flange of the top enclosure and at least one mating aperture is formed in the flange of the bottom enclosure, and wherein the at least one mating aperture of the top enclosure is axially aligned with the at least one mating aperture of the bottom enclosure.
 13. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein a bolt is disposed in the aligned mating apertures to couple the top enclosure to the bottom enclosure.
 14. The enclosed proximity switch assembly of claim 1, wherein the target support includes a base portion that is coupled to the second intermediate portion of the shaft, and the radial portion is a cantilevered projection extending from the base portion. 